Savory Spring Sake Selections

A period of renewal, Spring is a great time for feeling refreshed, trying new things, and enjoying the outdoors. So, this weekend, head to park you’ve never tried, and bring along a picnic basket filled with springtime splendor: fresh fruits, young cheeses, and a bottle of chilled sake.

Contrary to popular belief, sake isn't actually Japanese wine, as it is not produced by fermenting grapes. Rather, sake is rice-based and brewed similarly to beer. Still, sake is a complex drink with as much variation to its bottles as there is between wines. And that means there’s always something new and exciting to try!

Our top sake picks (below) include the dry yet rich Bunraku - Nihonjin no Wasuremono Yamahai Junmai. Best served chilled, this particular sake is notably refreshing with a long finish and lovely fruit tones.

If you're looking for a conversation bottle, nothing tops Sato No Homare - "Pride of the Village" Junmai Ginjo Sake. Enjoy your lunch while telling friends that their sake was brewed in Japan's oldest active brewery, which, rather incredibly, has been in operation since 1141 AD. Even if you forget the history lesson, everyone is sure to enjoy this bottle, with its fruity aroma and complex palate of licorice, mint, and pears.